“You know I’m not supposed to disclose that information.”
“I need to know. Please.” My voice cracks on the last word, and he nods.
“She’s doing well from what I can see. She just graduated from college with a law degree.”
A lawyer? What an interesting career choice. I never would have thought Ava Michaels would become a lawyer.
God, I miss her.
“And the Vipers?” I’ve seen things in the media, so he can’t lie to me.
“Still an outlaw motorcycle club.” His jaw clenches.
“And Liam and Theo Blade?”
His expression suddenly becomes closed off. He’s hiding something from me. I think he doesn’t want to scare me, but this is worse.
“Tell me, Brekker.”
“Mifflin Blade’s sons are all criminals.”
“There’s more to it than that, isn’t there?” I ask, searching his eyes. They look troubled. Worried.
“I don’t think I should say more, Leticia.”
“Because there’s an active threat? Or what?”
“I believe someone, and it’snotGage, is trying to locate you.” He frowns, rubbing his thumb over my skin. “There’s been activity that suggests facial recognition technology is being used on the internet with your likeness. You need to lay low for a bit. Stay close to home until this blows over.”
Blows over? “It’s beenfour years, Brekker. Nothing is fucking blowing over.”
He blinks at my use of profanity. “Letty.” It’s the first time he’s ever used a less formal version of my name. “This is serious. It’s my job to protect you from those bastards.Allof them,” he emphasizes, including Gage in that description.
I’m close to tears. In all this time, Gage hasn’t found me. He didn’t try. He’s had six months. Am I a fool to still hope he’ll come for me?
Brekker is trying to convince me that my relationship with Gage is over. He’s being as gentle as possible with the news, but it’s no less devastating. I can feel tears building behind my eyes, and I blink at the sting.
“Shit. Don’t cry.” He pulls me into his arms as he releases my hands. In the shelter of his embrace, I let loose a sob.
This nightmare never stops.
“Letty, darling.” He tilts my chin up. “I’m not supposed to get close. I can’t develop feelings for those under my protection. But you, it’s always been a battle since we met.”
Darling. Wow. In another life, if I had never met Gage, I could have fallen hard for a guy like Brekker. He’s kind, generous, and protective by nature. Intelligent. Charming.
But he’s not Gage.
I lift my fingers and press two against his mouth. “He’s still with me, Brekker. I know you might not believe this, but I know he’ll find me. It doesn’t matter how long it takes.”
Brekker shakes his head. “You’re wrong.” He tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “When he finds you, so will his enemies. You’ll always be a target with him. Never safe and never free.”
I swallow hard with his words because he’s right. “I know.”
“Then let him go, Letty. Live your life. Hell, do it for you, not me, or Gage, or your mother. I’ll relocate you anywhere you want to go. Take this chance before it disappears.”
“You’re a good man, Daniel Brekker. One of the best I’ve ever known. If it were possible, I would take you up on that offer.”
His eyes betray his disappointment.
